Printer&#39;s cabinet



Patented May 2 5, 1 920.

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PRINTERS CABINET. APPLICATION men JUNE 13. 1917.

' Patented May 25, 1920.

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F. J. SMITH.

PRINTERS CABINET. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13, 1917.

Patented May 25, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- VE N T5. KNEE)? 1 l I I l l l l l l l I I l l llUNITED OFFICE.

FRANK 3'. SMITH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PBINTERS CABINET.

Application filed June 13,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK J. SMITH, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Printers Cabinets,of which the following is a specification, reference being had thereintothe accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to printers cabinets, and is intended moreparticularly to provide a cabinet suitable for use in the largernewspaper printing offices. As is well known, in such offices thegreater proportion of the printed matter is produced by automatictypecasting machines, but in some classes of work the old method ofcomposing separate or individual type in hand sticks must be resortedto; and in either case, it is still necessary to make up the printingforms by hand preparatory to their use in the press or in thestereotyping process. This work of preparing the printing forms isdiiiicult and tedious and requires a considerable amount of time, as itnot only involves the use of many different type fonts but also a variedassortment of other material, such as quads and spaces of all sizes,leads and slugs ranging from ems to 51-; ems or more in length, borderrules or designs of various descriptions, figure and fraction type,special or sorts type, etc.

hlany attempts have been made to devise a cabinet suitable for thepurpose, but so far the practical requirements have not beensuccessfully or satisfactorily met. Thus, it has already been proposedto provide a cabinet which may be used as a makeup table well as a placeof storage for the type cases and some of the leads and slugs, but suchcabinet falls far short of the practical needs of the larger ofices, notonly in spect to the assortment of leads and slugs that must beemployed, but also in respect to the various other requisite elements.Owing to these limitations, it has been necessary to store the extramaterial in further cabinets specially designed for that purpose andwhich are distributed about the composing room at whatever places areavailable. This practice gives rise to many delays and annoyainces, as acompositor is compelled to leave his place at the make-up table and goto some remote part of the composing room for the desired material, andit frequently happens that other compositors are there at Specificationof Letters Patent.

Patented May 25, 1920.

1917. Serial N0. 174,416.

the same time selecting their own material or else have taken away thevery case or box which is needed. Many other objections might be pointedout, but they are so well known to all printers that further commentwould be superfluous.

My invention, generally speaking, is intended to do away with all ofthese objections, and contemplates a cabinet which may contain acomplete supply of the requisite material, and which may be said to be acomplete printing office in itself, so that the compositor, in making upthe printing forms, may have all the wanted material directly at handand within easy reach. The manner in which this result is accomplishedwill be fully pointed out in the detailed description to follow.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of my improved cabinet;

Fig. 9. is a rear perspective view thereof and illustrating the use ofanother cabinet in conjunction therewith;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the upper portionof the cabinet;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of one of the main type cases;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of one of the auxiliary type cases; and

Fig. (5 is a top plan view of the special or sorts type case.

My improved cabinet is designed particularly for the use of twocompositors at the same time. It comprises a main casing A, open at therear, and containing two similar series of primary type cases A and Awhich are supported upon suitable flanges or ledges A so as to he slidoutwardly from the rear of the casing. These cases, one of which isshown in plan view in Fig. 4, are provided with the usual compartmentsto contain a complete font of type, each individual case ordinarilybeing equipped with a different font, so that as many dissimilar fontsare available as there are type cases in any one series, the number ofwhich in the present instance is nineteen. For example, in Fig. 2 thefour uppermost cases are marked or labeled respectively as containing 12pt., 14 pt., 18 pt. and 2% pt. type fonts, which may or may not differas to style or face. If desired, of course, the fonts or any of themmight be of the same point or size and differ in style or face only.

At its top, the casing A is provided with a flat horizontally disposedmake-up table B, which is of double length, so as to accommodate the twocompositors, and of greater width than that of the casing so as toproject beyond or overhang the forward or closed side thereof, asclearly indicated in Fig. 1. The extent of the overhanging portion ofthe make-up table is such as to provide a clear working space for thecompositors in the use of the cabinet, as well as to provide for theincorporation therein of other elements which are associated with thetable. Thus, as shown in Fig. 1, the main casing A has projecting fromits forward or closed side and at its opposite ends two supplementalcasings C and D, respectively, of a width equal substantially to theextent of the overhanging portion of the makeup table B, and which arerelatively short in length so as to take up only a small part of thespace below the table, and hence in no way interfere with the work ofthe compositors. At their lower ends, the supplemental casings are cutaway or formed with notches C and D to provide foot space for thecompositors upon the rare occasions when they work at the extreme endsof the cabinet.

The supplemental casing C (Figs. 2 and 3) contains a series of auxiliarytype cases C which are arranged to he slid outwardly from the end of thecabinet or in a direc tion at right angles to that ofthe main typecases. These auxiliary type cases 0 one of which is shown in plan viewin Fig. 5, are provided with ten compartments 0 designed to contain anextra or surplus supply of the figure type which. are stored in the typecases, and also with ten smaller compartments 0 designed to contain asupply of fraction-type, which, however, are not contained in the maintype cases. In other words, for each of the primary cases, there isprovided a separate auxiliary type case containing an extra supply offigures, and furthermore a new or additional supply of fractiontype tosupplement the primary font. It is pointed out that the type in theauxiliary cases correspond in size or face to the type ontained in theprimary cases; 0. 9., in Fig. 2 the four uppermost auxiliary type casesare marked or labeled as containing 12 pt., 1d pt, 18 pt. and 2% pt.type, corresponding with the type fonts contained in the four uppermostprimary type cases. A s a result of this arrangement, if the supply ofthe figure-type contained in the primary cases should become exhausted,there is still available to the compositors the extra supply containedin the auxiliary cases, so that no time need be lost in searchingthrough the composing room for the cabinet containing the type of thecorresponding font. Similarly, there is also immediately available tothe compositors a. supply of fraction type of whatever font that isrequired.

The second supplemental casing D is provided with two series of openboxes or compartments D and D open at the right-hand end of the cabinet(Fig. 1). These boxes are adapted to contain linotype rules or bordersof various designs or descriptions and such as are needed in advertisingor display work, it being the purpose to store borders of differentkinds in the difi'erent boxes, of which there are twenty in number.

It will thus be observed that while the two supplemental casings providea considerable quantity and variety of wanted material, they do not inany way interfere with the work of the compositors at the make-up table,these parts being so combined and related as to afiord ample workingspace for the two men at the same time. it will also be noted that nowaste or extra space is taken up by the use of the supplemental casings,due to their location in front of and within the end limits of themaincasing and beneath the overhanging portion of the make-up table, andfurthermore that the type cases of one supplemental casing and the openboxes or compartments of the other in nowise interfere with the typecases contained in the main casing.

Also associated with the makeup table B is a lead and slug rack E, whichoccupies part of the additional space provided at the rear of the tableby extending it forwardly, as above described. That is to say, the reel:is disposed longitudinally of the main casing and is located upon a rearstrip of the table just back of the effective portion thereof, via. at adistance from the forward edge of the table slightly greater than thelength or height of a printing formto be placed thereon, the rack beingsupported upon the table by means of upstanding bracket plates E whichare designed to hold it at a slight backward inclination. The rack isprovided with three groups of compartments c 0 and 6 ea. 1 l

group comprising two superposed series of similar compartments, those ofthe upper series being designed to contain stacks of leads, and. thoseof the lower series stacks of slugs of similar lengths. The leads andslugs stacked in the groups 0" and e are intended to be .2t?.lf1-ll.(llongitudinally of the cabinet, and hence the compartments in these twogroups are made of varying widths progressively to .accornrnor ate thedifferent lengths of the leads and which they are adapted to contain.The compartments in group (2 are designed to contain leads and slugsranging from ems to 121- ems in length, which in this group varies to anextent of one-half em in the respective compartments (Fig. 3). Thecompartments in group 6 are designed to contain leads and slugs rangingfrom letto 22 ems in length, which in this group varies to an extent ofone whole em in the respective compartments. The compartments of thecentral group are intended to contain leads and slugs of the followinglengths: 23,

23g, 24, 24-3, 25, 22c, 27 and as ems, it being proposed to store themin stacks arranged transversely of the -abinet or at right angles to therack. Accordingly, the compartments 6 are made of uniform width equal tothe height of the leads and slugs, and are i'leepened or extendedrearwardly suiiiciently to receive them, it being noted, see Fig. 2,that the rack is offset, as at E for this purpose. This arrangement isnot only advantageous in economixcing space, but in addition it locatesthe longer leads and slugs (which are used in double column work)centrally of the make-up table, where access may be freely had to themby both compositor-s working at the table and without requiring eitherto leave his place or to interfere with the other.

To provide for the use of even greater lengths of leads and slugs, thereemployed a further rack F also containing two similar series ofsuperposed compartments f, which, like the compartments 6 and forsimilar reasons, are of uniform width equal to the height of the leadsand slugs to be stacked therein. In this embodiment, the leads and slugsrange from 2% to 51-;- ems in length, which for the most part variesaccording to one whole em but in several instances only according to ahalf em. The rack F (Figs. 1 and of a width equal substantially to thatof the overhanging portion of the make-up table B and is supporteddirectly beneath and centrally thereof upon a longitudinal bar or memberF which is connected at its rear edge to the main casing A and at itsopposite ends to the supplemental casings C and D respectively. Thelength of the rack F is less than that of the supporting bar F so thatthere is provided in connection with the other parts two compartments atthe opposite ends of the rack. One of these compartments, F is left opento serve as a place of storage for any miscellaneous material, while theother is occupied by two drawers F and l1 arranged to he slid out fromthe front, the latter being sustained directly by the supporting bar Fand the former by flanges or ledges F projecting inwardly from thesupplemental casing D and the adjoining end of the rack F. The drawer asindicated in plan. view in Fig. 6, is divided into compartments to serveas a type case for sorts and other special characters, such as leaders,paragraph and per cent. marks, and dashes and parentheses, etc. Thedrawer F is intended to be used for holding copy and the like, or forany other purpose.

lVhile the above leads and slugs will answer most purposes, there may heneed for employing others of even greater length or of some speciallength not provided for in the particular assortment described. As asuitable and convenient place of storage for such extra leads and slugs,the rack E is formed at its top with an upstanding flange extendingalong its rear side and end portions, thus providing in conjunction withthe top face of the rack a long inclined tray open at the front andoffset at the middle corresponding to the outline of the rack. Suchtraymay not only be used to hold the aforesaid leads and slugs, but ifdesired, any other special material, pick-ups, corners, ornaments, etcl,all of which may be kept in plain view and within easy reach.

In the space between the two supplemental casings C and D and extendingfrom one to the other, there is also located an inclined shelfG whichmay be used. as a galle or rule case support or for any other purpose,it being noted that this shelf is located high enough to avoid anyinterference with the compositors.

The space upon the make-up table B remaining behind the rack E isoccupied by a longtray H supported upon the bracket plates E and whichis recessed at H to re ceive the offset portion E of the rack. This trayis divided into a series of compartments 7b, which are adapted tocontain an extra or surplus supply of quads or spaces such as are storedin the main type cases.

While the table B is employed chiefly in making up the printing forms,it is fre quently desirable to place thereon a type case from which somespecial matter is to be composed. Heretofore, in such circumstances, ithas been necessary to remove the form before placing the case on thetable so as to avoid injury to or displacement of the type in the form.T o obviate this necessity, in the present instance, the makeup table isprovided with two pairs of upstanding lugs or posts J which are arrangedjust in front of the rack E and at the rear of the makeup table. Theseposts may thus be used as supports or props for the type cases, not onlyto hold them in inclined position, desirec, but also to maintain themfree and cl rar of the type forms which lie flatly on the table, seeFig. 2.

In use, the cabinets are arranged one be hind another in a straight row,as illus trated in Fig. 2, with the rear side of one facing the frontside of another, the idea being to enable the compositors at a forwardcabinet to have at their disposal the primary type cases and the quadsand spaces contained in the next cabinet to the rear. The element oftime is an important factor in the composing room, both in regard to theexpense of operation and the output of the work. This is especially truein the large newspaper ofiices which employ hundreds of men and turn outnumerous editions each day. The present cabinet has been organized withall of these considera tions in mind, and in practical use it has beenfound to meet the demands in a most efiioient manner, resulting in agreatly increased saving of time, labor and expense.

For lighting purposes, each cabinet is equipped with two electric lampsO supported by brackets O projecting from the rack E and which may beswitched on or off by means of a push button O at the side. lwo furtherlamps O are arranged at the rear of the casing above the primary typecases to enable the compositors to select any one of the cases or to settype therefrom.

In the accompanying drawings, 1 have shown my invention merely inpreferred form and by way of example, and it will be understood thatmany modifications and variations may be made therein without departingfrom its spirit. Generally speale ing, I desire it to be understood thatI do not limit myself to any specific form or embodiment except in sofar as such limitations are specified in the claims. 7

Having thus described my invention, its construction and mode ofoperation, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is as follows:

1. A printers cabinet comprising, in combination, a main casingcontaining two similar series of primary type cases arranged to he slid.outwardly from the rear, a double length make-up table supported on thetop of said casing and projecting forwardly beyond the front or closedside thereof, and two supplemental casings projecting forwardly to asubstantially equal extent from the front or closed side of the maincasing and located at the opposite ends thereof below said table, one ofsaid supplemental casings containing a series of auxiliary type casesarranged to be slid outwardly in a direction at right angles to that ofthe primary type cases, and the other of said casings containing aseries of open boxes or compartments.

2. A printers cabinet comprising, in combination, a main casingcontaining two similar series of primary type cases arranged to be slidoutwardly from the rear, a double length make-up table supported on thetop of said casing and projecting forwardly beyond the front or closedside thereof, two supplemental casings projecting forwardly to asubstantially equal GX- tent from the front or closed side of the maincasing and located at the opposite ends thereof below said table andconstructed to contain additional type elements, a supporting memberextending longitudinally from one supplemental casing to the other at agiven distance from the overhanging portion of the make-up table, and alead and slug rack located in the space between the supporting memberand the make-up table.

3. A printers cabinet comprising, in combination, a main easingcontaining two similar series of primary type cases arranged to be slidoutwardly from the rear, a double length make-up table supported on thetop of said casing and projecting forwardly beyond the front or closedside thereof, two supplemental casings projecting forwardly to asubstantially equal extent from the front or closed side of the maincasing and located at the opposite ends thereof below said table andconstructed to contain additional type elements, a supporting memberextending longitudinally from one supplemental casing to the other at agiven distance from the oven hanging portion of the make-up table, and alead and slug rack located in the space between the supporting memberand the makeup table, said rack being of less length than'that of thesupporting member so as to provide in conjunction with the other partscompartments at its opposite ends.

4. A printers cabinet comprising, in combination, a main casingcontaining two similar series of primary type cases arranged to be slidoutwardly from the rear, a double length make-up table supported on thetop of said casing and projecting forwardly beyond the front or closedside thereof, two supplemental casings projecting forwardly to asubstantially equal extent from the front or closed side of the maincasing and located at the opposite ends thereof below said table and constructed to contain additional type elements. a supporting memberextending longitudinally from one supplemental casing to the other at agiven distance from the overhanging portion of the make-up table, a leadand slug rack located in the space be tween the supporting member andthe makeup table, said rack being of less length than that of thesupporting member so as to provide in conjunction with the other partscompartments at its opposite ends, flanges projecting into one of saidcompartments from one end of the rack and the rear wall of the adjacentsupplemental casing, and a type case supported upon said flanges andarranged to be slid forwardly away from the main casing.

55. A printers cabinet comprising, in combination, a main casingcontaining two similar series of primary type cases arranged to be slidoutwardly from the rear, a double length make-up table supported on thetop of said casing and projecting forwardly beyond the front or closedside thereof so as to leave at the rear of the casing a strip of thetable back of its effective portion, and a lead and slug rack extendinglongitudinally of the main casing and supported upon the rear strip ofthe table, said rack being formed with compartments arranged in groups,one disposed centrally of the table and the other two on opposite sidesof the central group, and the compartments of the two end groups beingof a depth equal to the height of the leads and slugs to be insertedtherein and varying in width progressively to correspond with thedifferent lengths of said leads and slugs, and the compartments of thecentral group being of uniform width equal to the height of the leadsand slugs and of greater depth than the compartments of the othergroups, in the manner and for the purpose described.

6. A printers cabinet comprising, in combination, a main casingcontaining two similar series of primary type cases arranged to be slidoutwardly from the rear, a double length make-up table supported 011 thetop of said casing and projecting forwardly beyond the front or closedside thereof so as to leave at the rear of the casing a strip of thetable back of its effective portion, a lead and slug rack extendinglongitudinally of the main casing and supported upon the rear strip ofthe table, said rack being formed with three groups of compartments,those of one group being located centrally of the make-up table anddesigned to hold the leads and slugs in stacks arranged transversely ofthe table or at right angles to the rack, and those of the other twogroups being disposed at opposite sides of the central group anddesigned to hold the leads and slugs in stacks arranged longitudinallyof the table, and a further lead and slug rack supported beneath theoverhanging portion of the make-up table and formed with compartmentsdesigned to contain leads and slugs of greater length than thosecontained in the other rack.

7. A printers cabinet comprising, in combination, a main casingcontaining two similar series of primary type cases arranged to be slidoutwardly from the rear, a double length make-up table supported on thetop of said casing and projecting forwardly beyond the front or closedside thereof so as to leave at the rear of the casing a strip of thetable back of its effective portion, a lead and slug rack extendinglongitudinally of the main casing and supported upon the rear strip ofthe table, said racli being formed with compartments arranged in groups,one disposed centrally of the table and the other two on opposite sidesof the central group, and the compartments of the two end groups beingof a depth equal to the height of the leads and slugs to be insertedtherein and varying in width progressively to correspond with thedifferent lengths of said leads and slugs, and the compartments of thecentral group being of uniform width equal to the height of the leadsand slugs and of greater depth than the compartments of the othergroups, and a further rack supported beneath the overhanging portion ofthe make-up table and formed with compartments of uniform width equal tothe height of the leads and slugs and of a depth equal substantially tothe extent of the overhanging portion of the table.

8. A printers cabinet comprising, in combination, a main casingcontaining two similar series of primary type cases arranged to he slidoutwardly from the rear, a double length make-up table supported on thetop of said casing and projecting forwardly beyond the front or closedside thereof, two supplemental casings projecting to a substantiallyequal extent from the front side of the main casing and located at theopposite ends thereof, one of said supplemental casings containing aseries of auxiliary type cases and the other a series of open boxes orcompartments, a lead and slug rack supported upon the make-up table andlocated at the rear thereof back of its effective portion, and a secondlead and slug rack supported beneath the overhanging portion of themake-up table between the two supplemental casings.

In testimony whereof, I have affixed my signature.

FRANK J. SMITH.

